Controversy exploded online Sunday after a man with Tourette Syndrome shouted the N-word while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented during the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs).
Scottish activist John Davidson, a prominent face of Tourette Syndrome in the United Kingdom going back to the late-1980s, inspired the recently acclaimed film I Swear, which received five nominations at the BAFTAs, ultimately taking home the award for Best Leading Actor (Robert Aramayo) and Best Casting. Throughout the night, Davidson, who was in attendance, could be heard shouting various obscenities, including “shut the fuck up” and “fuck you,” but it was when actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented that things got wildly uncomfortable, per Variety:
A number of outbursts could be heard throughout the BAFTA ceremony, including “shut the fuck up” being shouted during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt and “fuck you” when the directors of “Boong,” which won the BAFTA for best children’s and family film, accepted their award. During another outburst, the audience inside the BAFTAs heard Davidson shout the n-word when Michael B, Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects to “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the BAFTA Film Awards pic.twitter.com/UcfHtbhEMo
— zamohappy (@zamohappy) February 22, 2026
The moment prompted host Alan Cumming to issue a disclaimer.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience,” Cumming told the audience. “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Cumming later issued an apology to the audience, explaining the involuntary nature of Tourette’s.
“Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight,” he said.
The movie I Swear features Davidson growing up with the condition, showing how he faced severe social exclusion and even violence due to his sudden outbursts of obscenities.
The moment prompted significant discussion online, with the debate centering on whether the obscenities were an involuntary reflex or an honest reflection of how Davidson felt. Accusations of racism and ableism swung back-and-forth with little in-between or nuance.
Calling Black men the n-word is racism. If John has coprolalia and can’t control the slurs he says, he should watch from a separate area, not in the main audience where Black people are exposed to slurs https://t.co/leYDORJ8DZ
— Dr. Allison Wiltz (@queenie4rmnola) February 22, 2026
Asking for more grace for the person who shouted a racist slur instead of for Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who had to push through being embarrassed in front of their peers.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 23, 2026
But that’s often the expectation — that Black people are just supposed to be ok with being… https://t.co/MqHbC8XwsA
Man idk if this is ableist or whatever but if your Tourette’s makes you say the n-word I think you should just not go to a ceremony https://t.co/RgTgKSDDrV
— Skyler Higley (@skyler_higley) February 22, 2026
Comprehension… no one is saying do not be offended or that it’s not dehumanising for Jordan and Lindo. What we are saying is it’s not voluntary, conscious or to be used as a confirmation of their beliefs. Be offended but understand the reason.
— Lateef 🙃 (@LateefSaka) February 22, 2026
Tourette is such a horrible condition because while it may differ by individual, it’s often characterised by making the individual say something extremely inappropriate whether they believe it or not. Individuals with Tourette are more likely to commit suicide due the condition. https://t.co/wEmgPnuEdU
— Lateef 🙃 (@LateefSaka) February 22, 2026
trying to not villainize this person and their disability but the hard -er being thrown at you in front of all your peers at what may be the peak of your careers DURING Black History Month is an isolating and dehumanizing experience. https://t.co/pNaxeQfEWV
— KT ❥*⁀➷ (@TheMaleMaam) February 22, 2026
So many people in the quotes and replies proving how little they take into account the humanity of Black folks b/c they are incapable of showing any empathy to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo but are OVERFLOWING with understanding and compassion for John Davidson. https://t.co/Qq6E8Gk1tK
— Dylan St. Jaymes (@Dylan_StJaymes) February 22, 2026
this is a heartbreaking situation all around and a lot of the discourse is pretty rough to observe. A combo of ableism, insufficient education around Tourette’s/coprolalia, but also not enough care shown for delroy and michael b experiencing this on stage.
— Caroline (@carolinekwan) February 23, 2026
My question is - why… https://t.co/GO8x73BpXW
No matter how Tourette's works, that the BAFTAs subjected Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo to that is outrageous and shameful.
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) February 23, 2026
This was handled SO poorly - footage is forever, and also this man Davidson will have to deal with the horrible fallout as well.
Kicking disabled people is actually the opposite of woke.
— Erick Lorinc 🎃 (@ErickLorinc) February 22, 2026
BAFTA needs to give an apology to Lindo, Jordan, and the entire black audience.
However, we’re not going to call for harm to someone with a disability that forces him to say the worst possible thing in a given situation pic.twitter.com/w60Fyzkep0
Compassion is an unlimited resource! Here you can have it for all three people involved, and not for one at the expense of another https://t.co/uu1E4ZUJnD
— Sophie 〓〓 (@soupyferns) February 22, 2026
Tourette does not make one say racist shit.
— Phantom (@effoff1988) February 22, 2026
It makes one say shit they think and have no control over saying out loud.
And the “sorry IF you were offended” apology was not even remotely enough here.
The brilliant creative team of SINNERS deserved better from Bafta organisers. https://t.co/eDSZrUo6aP pic.twitter.com/czv1oAwOoF
Having seen the film about Davidson, I think this is just an unfortunate situation all around. Because yes, he really has severe Tourette’s and OCD, he really can’t control it, and yet no black man should have to face that word hurled at them, so it’s just…uncomfortable. https://t.co/zF9pfKBBQp
— AdequateEmily (@AdequateEmily) February 23, 2026
Tourette’s syndrome doesn’t make you just call Black actors winning awards the N word. This is just overt racism, call it what it is. https://t.co/OfMtVut5PC
— Queer Latifah ✨ (@TheAfrocentricI) February 22, 2026
